Archaeologists have found obsidian tools, which three years ago did a tattoo

Archaeologists have found obsidian tools, which three years ago did a tattoo

09.07.2016

A group of archaeologists under the direction of Robin Torrence from the Australian Museum in Sydney has come to the conclusion that previously discovered in the Solomon Islands, the shards of obsidian to three thousand years ago was used by local tribes for tattooing. This is evidenced by the results of a study of the volcanic glass, and some of the experiments.

photo: morguefile.com

Experts have studied 15 pointed fragments previously discovered in the area Nanggu. Until now it was assumed that they were used for processing animal skins, however the researchers of this version is immediately called into question in the first place because in the Solomon Islands is found not so many large animals, and to work with the skin of small animals and lizards devices, by and large, are not required. In this regard, the scientists put forward the version that the fragments used for application to human skin tattoos. According to specialists, during this process, the skin adrenals and under it was placed the pigment that had remained there after the scratch healed. One of the first body of evidence to scientists, were the traces of human blood and ochre and coal, discovered on the fragments.

To test their hypothesis, the scientists conducted an experiment with obsidian cutter and pork skin, as well as charcoal and red ochre as “paint”. As a result, “prick tattoo” scientists have managed, and wear on the weapon resembled those that can be seen and previously discovered artifacts.

Previously, different experts have managed to find ancient mummies with tattoos, however, very rare human remains are so well preserved for many thousands of years. Many of the guns, which were in ancient times used for tattooing, also could eventually decay than archaeologists and explain the rarity of such finds. However, obsidian, or volcanic glass, is not such a “perishable” material, so artifacts of this material could shed light on many questions concerning the early history of the human body with permanent drawings, I hope the experts, who published their work in scientific Journal Journal of Archaeological Science.

It is worth noting that the very existence of the ancient tradition of tattooing in the Pacific Islands is not a big surprise to scientists the word “tattoo” dates back to the Polynesian languages, where many islanders said. By the way, about two months ago it became known that for the last 70 years, many of the Solomon Islands went under water completely or substantially immersed in it.